John Studzinski CBE
Credit: Adrian Myers
Biography
John Studzinski CBE is founder and chairman of the Genesis Foundation. Since 2001, the Foundation has supported programmes that nurture the careers of outstanding emerging artists in the UK, enabling them to develop their professional skills and experience and gain access to mentors and valuable networks.
An American-born British asset manager, investment banker and philanthropist, John Studzinski is Vice Chairman and a Managing Director of global investment management firm PIMCO. With over 40 years of banking and investment experience, he has previously embraced senior roles at Blackstone, HSBC Group and Morgan Stanley. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College.
A dedicated philanthropist and thought leader, Mr Studzinski places human dignity at the core of his programmes and projects. He is Founding President of Arise, which was established in 2015 to support frontline work against modern slavery. For the past decade, he has been involved with initiatives to eradicate human trafficking and modern slavery. Most recently, he joined The Rt Hon Theresa May MP and other international leaders to form the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, where he serves as a commissioner.
Mr Studzinski also serves on various boards, including the American Associates of the Saint Catherine Foundation, Benjamin Franklin House, Castle Howard, FAPE, Jacob’s Pillow, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and The J. Paul Getty Trust. He was recently installed as Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University. Additionally, he co-founded the Christian Art Network.
Awarded a CBE in 2008 for his services to the Arts and Charity, John Studzinski has also received the Papal honours of Knight of the Order of St. Gregory and Knight Commander of St. Sylvester, the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award, the Beacon Prize for Philanthropy, the Prince of Wales Medal for Arts Philanthropy, and the Prince of Wales Ambassador Award for his work with the homeless. In 2017 the Catholic Herald named him Catholic of the Year.
Press articles on John Studzinski
John Studzinski is featured in The Tablet’s 2022 Christmas issue, discussing the difference between charity and philanthropy, why your passions should drive your philanthropic efforts, and the importance of structured and informal networks.
Op-ed in The Times on actions Britain needs to take to attract global philanthropists.
Coinciding with the launch of Beacon Collaborative’s report on ‘The UK as a Centre of Excellence for International Philanthropists and Social Investors’, John Studzinski speaks to The Times about why honours awarded for philanthropy have halved in five years.
John Studzinski speaks to The Sunday Times about advancing philanthropy in the UK.
Interview with The Times, surrounding philanthropy and the £1 million Genesis Kickstart Fund.
Financial Times piece, featuring John Studzinski, on the role philanthropists can play in keeping arts and culture alive amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
John Studzinski writes for The Stage about the role philanthropy can play in supporting theatre’s freelancers.
Interview with Classical Music Magazine about the Genesis Foundation.
Cover feature of John Studzinski in the May 2018 issue of Messenger of Saint Anthony.
Interview with The Tablet, ahead of the Vatican Premiere of Sir James MacMillan’s Stabat mater, a Genesis Foundation commission.
The Catholic Herald name John Studzinski ‘Catholic of the Year 2017’.
John Studzinski is quoted in the Daily Telegraph’s article on the historic return of Catholic worship to Chapel Royal.
Feature in The Independent following the 10 Year anniversary of the Genesis Foundation’s partnership with the Young Vic.
John Studzinski writes for The Independent surrounding philanthropy and the impact that a new tax legislation will have on charities.
John Studzinski writes for Huffington Post, sharing his vision for the Genesis Foundation’s ‘Genesis Prize’ competition.
Interview with Financial Times amidst the Genesis Foundation’s 10th Anniversary.
Discussion with The Spectator on the range of his philanthropic work and contribution to England’s art scene.
Interview with Spears, sharing the main objectives for his philanthropy and the origin of the Genesis Foundation’s partnership with the Royal Court in Spears.
Interview with The Tablet on Blackstone, Catholicism and his philanthropic work.
Interview with The Daily Telegraph in anticipation of the Padre Pio Prayer premiere at Westminster Cathedral.
The Daily Telegraph discusses John Studzinski’s investment banking accomplishments and success at Blackstone.
News in Financial Times surrounding John Studzinski’s £5 million contribution to the Tate Modern’s new extension.
John Studzinski’s £5 million donation to the Tate Modern sparks the Evening Standard’s interest in whether the city of London should give more to charity.
The Guardian writes about John Studzinski as he begins his new position at Blackstone.
Interview with The Times surrounding the various Genesis Foundation projects.
The Daily Telegraph reports John Studzinski’s receipt of the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award 2017.